For the month of April I am participating in the annual A-Z Blogging Challenge. The Challenge was started by author/blogger, Arlee Byrd. http://tossingitout.blogspot.com
Each day of the month (except Sundays) we will post something based on that days correlating letter. Some of us chose a theme and others are winging it. My theme is the A-to-Z’s of Mental Health, Raising Awareness. It is a topic that is very close to my heart. I hope you find the posts interesting and you will comment and share the posts everywhere. To see a list of all of the participants or for more information-click on the badge over there to the right>
Today’s Letter is F
Factitious Disorder
I chose Factitious Disorder because it sparked my writers mind. I thought a character with this disorder would be challenging yet fun for a writer to create.
Factitious Disorders are conditions where a person acts as if he/she has a physical or mental illness when they do not have any illness at all.
Factitious Disorder by Proxy is when a person acts if the person in their care has an illness when they don’t have any illness at all. It is closely related to Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome which is where a parent treats a child as if they have a serious illness.
People with this disorder behave this way because of some strong inner need for people to see them as ill or injured. It is not for any clear benefit such as financial gain.
These people will contaminate urine samples or other tests. They will harm themselves or the person in their care. The will even go as far as undergoing painful, risky medical tests or surgeries to obtain the attention and sympathy given to people who are, or have a loved one who is sick.
Factitious Disorders are considered mental illnesses because they are associated with severe emotional difficulties. A person with this disorder is at high risk of death-from hurting themselves.
The current treatment for this type of disorder is psychotherapy. It is a long-term extremely difficult disorder to treat. There is no medication available to treat this disorder.
20 thoughts on “Factitious Disorders”
O dear, this is sad that people have the need to believe they are ill as an attention getting device, though they may not even realise I guess. Thank you for the explanation of this and the difference to Munchausen by Proxy.
Garden of Eden Blog
It is very sad.
Interesting. I haven’t come across a book where the character has this disorder. Looking forward to reading what you’ll write, Doreen.
It is a sad disorder but I cannot help but think it would make a very interesting character .
Yikes! I could see myself becoming a hypochondriac, but never going to this extreme. Whew! It makes you wonder what kind of emotional abuse some people diagnosed with this have suffered.
I am really wondering what type of abuse would cause this disorder.
Wow, that is totally a disorder that would be interesting for a character to have, but so sad that there are actual people who suffer from it. Very creative use of the word F! Congratulations on doing the A to Z Challenge, I always love it when bloggers do this.
Thank you. I thought the same thing, what an character!
Fascinating, Doreen. I’d heard of Munchausen,but never factitious. Good article.
Thank you Toni. I had no idea!
This is an excellent A-Z Theme. I actually used to know someone with this disorder – it was very sad.
Oh my Kyra that must have been scary. Thank you!
This kind of sad and sick!:( Thanks for spreading light on this! Aditi, dropping from A2Z
Thank you Aditi. Whenever I think of crazy now I will think of this.
Wow. That is nutty. It would make for a very interesting character/story.
Play off the Page
I think so too!
So I wonder now, does that make it an illness in and of itself? To act like you have an illness, but don’t have one, yet you act like you do–there is something off about that. Fascinating story idea!
History Sleuth’s Writings – Blogging A-Z
It is considered a serious mental illness and yes, what a great story…
Oh, I hope my A to Z posts don’t give anyone any ideas!
My posts are giving me some ideas:)